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Great Debates at the United Nations

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Published in Great Debates At The United Nations: An Encyclopedia Of Fifty Key Issues 1945 2000

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Great Debates at the United Nations: An Encyclopedia of Fifty Key Issues, 1945-2000

by Robert F. Gorman

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6584 KB
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Print length	:	498 pages

The United Nations has been the site of many great debates that have shaped the course of history. These debates have covered a wide range of issues, from the future of nuclear weapons to the rights of women and children. This article explores some of these debates and their impact on the world.

The Cold War: Nuclear Weapons and the United Nations

One of the most significant debates that took place at the United Nations was over the issue of nuclear weapons. In the aftermath of World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as the two superpowers, each with its own arsenal of nuclear weapons. The threat of nuclear war hung over the world for decades, and the United Nations was often the舞台 for negotiations between the two sides.

In 1946, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons. However, the United States and the Soviet Union were unable to agree on a disarmament plan, and the nuclear arms race continued. In 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. The crisis was eventually resolved, but it highlighted the dangers of nuclear proliferation.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the United Nations continued to debate the issue of nuclear weapons. In 1985, the General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a comprehensive nuclear test ban. However, the United States and the Soviet Union did not agree to a ban until 1991.

The debate over nuclear weapons continues today. The United Nations has called for the elimination of all nuclear weapons, but the United States and other nuclear-armed states have resisted these calls.

The Middle East Conflict: Israel and Palestine

Another major debate that has taken place at the United Nations is over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The conflict began in 1948, when Israel was created as a state for the Jewish people. The creation of Israel led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, and the conflict has continued ever since.

The United Nations has been involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since its inception. In 1947, the General Assembly passed a resolution calling for the partition of Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. However, the resolution was not implemented, and the conflict continued.

In 1967, Israel launched a preemptive strike against Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, and occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem. The Israeli occupation of these territories has been condemned by the United Nations, and the General Assembly has repeatedly called for Israel to withdraw from these territories.

The debate over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues today. The United Nations has called for a two-state solution to the conflict, but the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement.

The Rights of Women and Children

The United Nations has also been a forum for debates over the rights of women and children. In 1948, the General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which includes a number of provisions protecting the rights of women and children.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the United Nations adopted a number of conventions and declarations on the rights of women and children. These include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW),the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women.

The United Nations has also created a number of agencies and programs to protect the rights of women and children. These include the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF),and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The debate over the rights of women and children continues today. The United Nations has made significant progress in promoting the rights of women and children, but there is still much work to be done.

The United Nations has been the site of many great debates that have shaped the course of history. These debates have covered a wide range of issues, from the future of nuclear weapons to the rights of women and children. The United Nations has played a vital role in promoting peace, security, and human rights around the world.

However, the United Nations is not without its critics. Some argue that the organization is too bureaucratic and inefficient. Others argue that the organization is biased against certain countries and regions. Despite these criticisms, the United Nations remains an important forum for debate and dialogue on the world's most pressing issues.

Great Debates at the United Nations: An Encyclopedia of Fifty Key Issues, 1945-2000

by Robert F. Gorman

5 out of 5